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AIRF RCE October 19, 2017 Operation Vanuatu Assist 7 Rapid relief in hot zone CAPT Jesse Robilliard AIR Force’s C-17A Globemasters have brought tonnes of aid and relief to thousands of displaced citizens who fled an island in Vanuatu amid fears of a volcanic eruption. Deployed under Operation Vanuatu Assist 2017, the Globemasters delivered Australian aid following the full-scale evacuation of about 11,600 residents from the island of Ambae. The island is home to the Manaro volcano, which Vanuatu’s government believes is in “imminent” danger of erupting. The Australian Deputy High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Susan Ryle, said the aid was helping people who had to leave practically everything behind on the island. “The government here in Vanuatu declared a state of emergency and evacuated the entire island of Ambae,” she said. “People are now displaced and they’re being housed in Santo, Maewo and the island of Pentecost. “The Australian aid includes tents for families, community tents and a number of kitchen sets carrying pots and pans that can be used for basic cooking.” Many evacuees from Ambae fled to the nearby island of Espiritu Santo, however, Santo Pekoa International Airport on Espiritu Santo possesses limited infrastructure. This logistical challenge was overcome by the forward planning of Air Force’s Mobile Air Loading Team, with plenty of local hands willing to help. No. 36 Squadron C-17A pilot FLGOFF Jake Nicholas was impressed with the combination of Air Force expertise and local enthusiasm. “Coming into Santo we brought one forklift with us, but with the help of the locals many hands made light work and they helped us off-load the aircraft in a short time,” FLGOFF Nicholas said. Working in tandem with the forklift, a flatbed truck was reversed up to the rear of the C-17A to allow RAAF personnel and local workers to unload the valuable stores. “The C-17 is perfect for this role,” FLGOFF Nicholas said. “We have a short airfield here, it’s very narrow but we had enough fuel on board to come here and go back to Brisbane.” The initial humanitarian C-17 flight to Santo Pekoa airport was followed by several others. Mrs Ryle said the integrated Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-led Australian response allowed Australia to respond quickly to calls for help from regional nations. “DFAT is working closely with the ADF, the government of Vanuatu and provincial authorities to ensure that we get this humanitarian assistance to those in need,” she said. A separate C-17 flight to the capital, Port Vila, carried an Army MRH90 helicopter that was assigned to the amphibious operations ship HMAS Choules in a sign of the triservice nature of the ADF response to the volcano crisis. LACW Laura Gale hands a box of Australian aid supplies to LS Januario Callos during Operation Vanuatu Assist 2017. Photo: LSIS Jake Badior Find your new home Have you been notified of your next move? Youcan login to Online Services to setup self-service preview access to look at available properties in your new location. Find your new home in Online Services at atime and place convenient to you. Access Online Services, 24/7. dha.gov.au/online 139 342